Frank Lucas

1. Frank Lucas The Real American Gangster

2. Backround • Born September 9, 1930  • Frank is currently 82 years old • He is from La Grange, North Carolina • Married Julianna Fairrait a homecoming queen of Puerto Rico • They had seven children • Lucas is now confined to a wheelchair because of a car accident • Left North Carolina for a better future in Harlem

3. His Drive to Crime • One of his cousins was killed by the KKK for looking at a white woman in town • They tied him to a pole and broke his teeth with a shotgun barrel and then shot him in the mouth

4. Running Harlem • I bought Harlem, I ran Harlem, and I owned Harlem-Frank Lucas • Frank was involved in the heroin business • He learned much of what he did from his boss Bumpy Johnson • Blue Magic was what he called his brand • Frank was named Superfly for his showing of his money • He hid his money throughout the Caribbean Islands for the safety of him being caught • Frank became one of the most powerful Africa-Americans of his time

5. Blue Magic • Transported his heroin straight out of Vietnam • He was able to transport his heroin on U.S. planes for the Vietnam War • He traveled over to Vietnam to do business personally with the people growing the heroin • Frank bought off the NYPD and was close with the Italian Mafia • His employees were close family members so he had no betrayals • All his female employees were forced to dress naked, so no one stole his merchandise • He sold the finest dope in Harlem

6. Convictions • In January 1975 his house in New Jersey was raided and he was sent to jail for 70 years • They found over 100 drug related convictions • In 1981 his 40 year Federal and 30 year state terms were reduced • His most recent charge was him selling an ounce of heroin and a kilogram of cocaine • He was defended by defense attorney Richie Roberts who was the police officer who caught him with his dope in 1975 • He was released from prison in 1991 • Criminal charge was just drug trafficking

7. Cultural Transformation • Frank grew up in the south during the 30’s and 40’s, so he was exposed to the hate and racism that many blacks faced. This treatment angered Frank and made him want out of that lifestyle. It also made him desire more in his life. He grew up with many siblings and relied on family for support. This is when he finally decided to go to Harlem because he was told it was the promise land. I think through these examples you can see how cultural transformation would apply to Frank. He was brought up in a difficult living environment where he didn’t have to many role models. This forced him to become an adult quickly. This is something most kids don’t have to do today, but back then many did. The amount of positive influences in his life are very few. They were either family members or friends. They were probably struggling as much as him.

8. Punishment • For Franks crime I would say he just needs to be taken out of society. He is not mentally insane or anything. He just has spent a life of making an illegal living. Its a style of living that benefits him and his business, but kills the users. The drug he provided is a very dangerous and harmful drug. One that will legit kill someone. That’s the scary part of it. Even though frank went straight back into the business after getting out of jail the first time it’s a lifestyle he only knew. Selling and dealing is what he was good at and succeeded very well with. By now Frank may have learned his lesson, but age and a stroke have restricted his movement. It’s still hard to say if Frank feels bad about his actions because of his old age. I think he would still be trying to sell heroin if he was restricted to a wheelchair and younger. This is what I have concluded.